Juan Del Mar Restaurante

Juan Del Mar Restaurante – A Vibrant Culinary Experience in Cartagena Nestled in the heart of Cartagena’s historic center at Plaza San Diego 8-12, Juan Del Mar Restaurante is a standout destination that blends Caribbean flair, fresh seafood, and a lively atmosphere into a memorable dining experience. As one of three establishments under the Juan Del Mar brand (alongside a gourmet pizzeria and a Peruvian mesa), this restaurant focuses on seafood and Caribbean-inspired cuisine, housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century republican house. My visit left me with a mix of impressions—mostly positive—but there’s plenty to unpack for anyone considering a meal here. Ambiance: A Feast for the SensesStepping into Juan Del Mar feels like entering a living piece of Cartagena’s history. The architecture retains its original charm—think exposed brick, high ceilings, and tiled floors—while eclectic decor adds a playful, artistic twist. Metal fish sculptures hang above the courtyard, and marine-themed artwork peppers the space, evoking the nearby Caribbean Sea. The open-air courtyard, where the kitchen buzzes with energy, is the heart of the restaurant,

I would highly recommend making reservations in the air conditioned area they have. The staff were friendly and food was good. My husband got the fried whole fish and he thought it was more of a 3/5 star. I would recommend the seafood pasta and the octopus. They also have the best plantains I’ve had in Cartagena, the whole table agreed on that one. Definitely worth going for the octopus!

Walked by this place and saw a duet playing and just had to drop in for a beer. So chill and fun. My sister in law saw us inside and joined. Ended up eating lunch and enjoying the band. They played Latin classics and my wife and sister in law and most of the bar were singing along and dancing. One gentleman was even doing percussion with spoons! Just a great local experience. Great lasagna and pizza as well. Menu looked great for dinner but never made it back for that! Next time ! Try to sit in the room with the band for the best experience!

Everything we ordered was delicious, especially for seafood lovers, and the pastas were lovely as well, with good portion sizes. We enjoyed the food so much that we went back the next day! The only negative would be that it can be very crowded and noisy at night sitting outside for dinner, and with street performers and some vendors coming up to the table, it’s not so relaxing. The service was also slower as there were so many customers (I recommend booking a table, we were lucky to get one in the evening walking in). However when we went for lunch the next day, the service and wait for food was so, so quick! The atmosphere was also nice and peaceful. I particularly recommend the octopus carpaccio, I love octopus but in many restaurants it’s not cooked so well, here it was delicious. We did try a pizza and it was good (I enjoy thin and crispy pizza but if you prefer a thick base, it won’t be for you) but the pastas/orzo were better in my opinion. The raw tuna and crab claw appetisers were also particularly good. If we are able to visit Cartegena again, we will stop here for sure :)

The food was ok and the drinks were ok. Loved the live music that was there which is why most people would go there. We got the lobster paella which was ok - it tasted like a yellow curry powder instead of a tomato sauce that it is list as on the description. We would recommend others to get the garlic shrimp which is what we saw others getting.

Juan Del Mar delivers exceptional food and a fantastic atmosphere, though the service could use a little improvement. When we visited, it seemed like there was only one server handling the entire floor, which made the service noticeably slow. It took a while to get our orders, but once the food arrived, it was well worth the wait. The ambience, however, was absolutely top-notch. The live band added an amazing vibe to the evening, creating the perfect backdrop for a relaxed and enjoyable meal. We started with the tuna appetizer, which was fresh and flavorful—a great way to kick off the experience. For mains, we ordered the seafood, Del Mar paella, and the New York steak. The paella was a standout, packed with perfectly cooked seafood and rich flavors. The New York steak, however, stole the show—it was cooked to perfection, tender, and seasoned just right. While the service could have been smoother, the incredible food and lively atmosphere more than made up for it. Juan Del Mar is a great spot for a memorable dining experience—just be prepared for a bit of a wait.

When it comes to a seafood restaurant with a great environment you can not find a better place than Juan del Mar. You know it's real when all the servers are smiling and dancing with the guests. Happiness is a state of mind here and it reflects in the delicious food they served. A live band is performing local music, Caribbean style and everyone is dancing. A word of advice : this is a very busy restaurant in the center of the old city. Do yourself a favor and reserve a table ahead of time.

This well-known restaurant tends to draw a crowd and fortunately there is a lovely outdoor seating area, especially if you arrive either early or late. Early in Cartagena is 7 PM. Food is excellent all around. The warm bread presented with citrus herb butter was a delightful treat to start with. Solid seafood dishes, and an array of pizzas with lovely, thin crusts. Their toppings are not very imaginative and tend to come out looking more like a cheap supermarket with wilted, low, tasty, ingredients. We asked for olives as an extra topping on a Neapolitan pizza and got about 4 olives in 10–12 slices. I asked for more and they said that would be a double portion :-) The drinks, and especially the juices are well-made, albeit just a tad skimpy in smaller than usual glasses. Don Ivan is getting on a bit, but is still out there, being a charming host and waiter.